The English made Parker 51 Classic, this pen, was fitted with a 'Lustralloy' cap and came in only four colours: Teal, Burgundy, Navy Grey, and Black. This is a fine example, in Navy Gray, dating from the mid 1950s.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested and is in first class condition throughout. It is a little different than most 51s in that the cap has been polished to give a bright, even surface, it suits the pen very well.
The cap is totally ding free and the Lucite body of the pen has a showroom finish and a clear imprint stating that the pen was made in England. Date stamping on the 51 pens ceased in 1952 and a halo was added to the cap in 1958. There is no date stamp or halo on the pen, indicating that it was made between these two dates.
The general condition of the pen suggests that it has not seen much use. The original 'Pli-glass' ink sac is unstained and the 'Parker Made in England' imprint is crisp and clear. This is unusual as the imprint is situated just where the cap lip fits so it is subject to wear with use.
The nib is a tubular design in 14Ct. Gold, it writes with a very smooth and consistent fine to medium line, a very 'easy' writer.
The pen has undergone a full disassembly, check and clean. The photographs show the ink collector, or governor as Parker called it. The fine fins act as a second ink reservoir to maintain good ink flow but, if the pen has been left for some time, they can become blocked with dried ink, reducing the efficiency considerably so a thorough clean is always a good idea.
The Parker 51 is often referred to as the best pen Parker ever made and this example certainly supports that claim. Although of collectable quality, it would make a good 'every day user', an eye catching pen with a good deal of prestige.